A scary-looking injury during training camp with the Cincinnati Bengals has left one of the team's defensive ends in a precarious position, but fortunately for Shemar Stewart, the diagnosis was not as severe as initially feared. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Thursday that Stewart suffered "just a hyperextended knee" and that they believe there is no ligament damage, with one source saying Stewart is "good."
The injury occurred on Wednesday during training camp and Stewart was carted off the field. This is not the first time Stewart has dealt with injuries, having missed multiple games last season with an ankle injury before a knee injury caused him to miss more time. Despite his best efforts, Stewart was unable to get his feet under him during his rookie year, playing in just eight games total and making five starts.
The defensive end finished the year with 11 tackles, 1.0 sack, 2.0 tackles for loss, and four quarterback hits. He will be playing along a revamped defensive line when he returns, with the Bengals adding several new pieces over the offseason to try and fix their defense. One of them is another former Texas A&M star in Cashius Howell, who they drafted in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Bengals fans can breathe a sigh of relief now that the news is out that Stewart's injury is not as serious as it initially seemed. However, the missed time will still prevent Stewart from getting his feet under him before the start of the season. The team will be counting on him to make an impact on the field when he returns.
Stewart's injury is a reminder that football is a physically demanding sport, and even the best players can suffer setbacks. Despite this, the young defensive end remains optimistic about his chances of making a comeback. With a solid training camp ahead of him, Stewart is likely to make a strong impression when he returns to the field.
The latest confirmed development is that Shemar Stewart is expected to resume training with the Cincinnati Bengals after a positive injury update. He suffered a hyperextended knee during training camp but is said to be "good" according to one source. Stewart will be playing along a revamped defensive line when he returns, with the team looking to fix their defense after a disappointing season.
Source: Yahoo Sports